AMERICAN FORK, Utah — A Utah school district reversed course and will recognize a student during a commencement ceremony after a 17-year-old girl graduated shortly before her death in January.
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The Alpine School District announced Wednesday that Samantha “Mantha” Corey will be honored when her American Fork High School classmates graduate on May 22, KUTV reported.
According to her obituary, Samantha Corey died on January 11 after a long battle with cancer. The 17-year-old was a senior at American Fork High School in American Fork, located halfway between Salt Lake City and Provo. She accumulated enough credits to graduate before her death.
The district originally denied Corey’s request for family members to move in her place or at least recognize her initially, citing district rules.
On Wednesday, district officials said they would make an exception.
“Samantha was loved by her classmates, teachers and school staff,” Alpine School District said in a statement. “She will be recognized at her graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 22 at the Marriott Center in Provo.
“The policies are designed to help us effectively administer our programs across the district, and our exceptions process allows us to recognize the uniqueness and beauty of individuals and their stories. We are grateful to our high school principals who support their schools so effectively and passionately.”
( A girl who died of cancer will not be recognized at the graduation ceremony due to district policy )
According to KUTV, Corey was diagnosed with terminal cancer during his sophomore year. Despite weekly chemotherapy treatments that caused her to miss school, Corey earned enough credits to graduate.
An online petition started on Tuesday by students demanding recognition for their deceased classmate has already collected over 2,600 signatures.
Alpine School District spokesman Rich Stowell told KSL-TV that a member of Corey’s family will walk across the stage to receive her diploma.